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Melanesia in Review: Issues and Events, I992

FIJI and non-Indo-Fijians, won all The year 1992 may well be remembered the 5 seats allocated to that community. in as one of unexpected develop­ In an unexpectedly close contest, the ments in the political arena, dominated National Federation Party won 14 of by the general election in May. The the 27 seats allocated to the Indo-Fijian first half of the year was consumed by community, with the the election campaign and the second securing 13. The Soqosoqo ni Vakavu­ half by its problematic reverberations. lewa ni Taukei was able to form a gov­ It ended with a promise to take Fiji ernment after entering into a coalition away from the politics ofracial divi­ with the General Voters Party and with sion toward a multiracial government the support of the Fijian National ofnational unity. Whether, and if, that United Front. became occurs will be the challenge of1993. prime minister after Labour threw its The general election, the sixth since support behind him rather than Kami­ independence in 1970 and the first since kamica, who was backed by the the coups of1987, was preceded by a National Federation Party. long and sometimes bitter campaign Labour's strategy took supporters (see my article, this issue). Political completely by surprise. Its leaders fragmentation in the Fijian community argued that Rabuka was a changed accompanied the emergence of a num­ man who appeared to be a genuine ber ofpolitical parties and the rise of friend ofthe poor of all races. They provincialism. An intense and at times said he was an essentially decent man bitter struggle for the prime minister­ who had been used by some chiefs and ship was fought by Major General other vested interests to execute the Sitiveni Rabuka and Josevata Kami­ coup. Kamikamica, on the other hand, kamica, a technocrat and finance min­ was the principal architect ofeconomic ister in Mara's interim adminis­ policies that had eroded workers' rights tration. Division also plagued the and brought them much misery. More­ Indo-Fijian community as the coalition over, he was Mara's man, enough to between the National Federation and disqualify him in their eyes. Fiji Labour parties collapsed over dif­ Most important, Rabuka had given ferences concerning how best to repeal Labour leaders a written undertaking a constitution that effectively reduced to act expeditiously on matters ofcon­ it to a political underclass. cern to them. These included reviewing The Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni the racially based constitution, which Taukei, a political party headed by discriminates against Indo-Fijians, Rabuka and sponsored by the chiefs, urban Fijians, and western Fijians; won 30 ofthe 37 Fijian communal revoking the anti-labour legislation seats, the Fijian National United Front passed by the interim administration; 5, and Independents 2 seats. The Gen­ abolishing the 15 percent value added eral Voters Party, representing all non- tax on most goods and services; and THE CONTEMPORARY PACIFIC. FALL 1993 discussing the extension of the expiring flame alive, capitalizing on a series of Agricultural Landlord and Tenants embarrassing setbacks for the govern­ Ordinance under which Fijian land is ment. As the year ended, there was leased by Indo-Fijian tenants. Rabuka some speculation about Rabuka's backed his commitment with suitable political future. rhetoric: "No longer am I promoting Rabuka moved early to deliver on the aspirations we had in 1987; now it his promises to the taukei, the indige­ is for all races in Fiji" (WPR, 15 June nous Fijians, announcing measures 1992). designed to enhance their participation In retrospect, becoming prime min­ in education and the private sector. ister was a relatively easy task for These included increasing the govern­ Rabuka; delivering on promises to var­ ment scholarship fund for Fijians; ious constituencies and running a establishing a small business agency to smooth administration proved more advise and train potential Fijian entre­ problematic. The source ofmany ofhis preneurs; providing financial assis­ problems was the way in which tance to the provincial councils and the Rabuka had risen to the top. Although Council of Rotuma to buy more shares popular among many ordinary Fijians in Fijian Holdings Limited, and giving throughout the country (his power that investment agency priority in base), Rabuka's support in the parlia­ purchasing shares from privatized gov­ mentary group of the Soqosoqo ni ernment commercial enterprises; and Vakavulewa ni Taukei was suspect, as considering tax exemption for Fijian­ members hedged their bets or were oth­ owned businesses for up to twenty erwise divided in their loyalties. years. Labour denounced the measures To consolidate his support, Rabuka as "just an extension of the haphazard rewarded most of his close and espe­ Alliance manner of dealing with Fijian cially wavering supporters with minis­ problems," and as measures "intended terial and subministerial portfolios, in for the rich and elite Fijians" (FT, 27 the process creating the biggest minis­ Aug 1992). Many Fijians, Nationalist terial government in Fiji's history. leader Sakiasi Butadroka among them, Opposition leader Jai Ram Reddy also were skeptical of the benefits of called the expansion to twenty-five the government's proposals for ordi­ ministers "an exercise in political expe­ nary Fijians. The National Federation diency by way of jobs for the boys" Party predictably raised the issue ofthe (TR, Dec 1992). One ofthe first bills needs and aspirations ofpoor Indo­ introduced by the government called Fijians, for whom the government's for an increase in salary for parliamen­ policies showed scant sympathy. tarians. The haste with which the bill In its first few weeks, the new gov­ was passed provoked much comment ernment functioned more smoothly in the country. The politics ofpatron­ than many had predicted or desired. age worked, at least for the time being, But it was soon embroiled in a series of but some in the Fijian camp, such as embarrassing incidents that under­ Senator Adi Finau Tabakaucoro, a mined its prestige. In August, the Mara loyalist, kept the anti-Rabuka newly appointed minister of state for '/ .~',.m

POLITICAL REVIEWS

Indian Affairs, Himmat Lodhia, was gain control of the Soqulu Plantation in forced to resign after the police from the National Bank. Even launched an investigation into his com­ more incredible, the deed of settlement pany for the disappearance from the was to be exempt from income, land customs bond of F$67,000 of imported sales, and value-added taxes (FT, I Oct jewelry. A month before, Minister for 1992). Information Ilaia Kuli was mired in a The settlement fell through when messy strike at Fiji Posts and Telecom­ the National Bank refused to honor the munications over the sacking ofthe deed signed by Seru. Soon afterward, chief executive, Emori Naqova, and the whole affair was exposed in parlia­ the ensuing conflict between the work­ ment. Jai Ram Reddy called the deed ers, who supported Naqova, and the an "attempt to swindle the govern­ management board. The strike was ment," a case of gross corruption and resolved only after the workers sabo­ incompetence, and pressed for a judi­ taged fiber optics and compact cables, cial inquiry. The attorney general, he throwing and international com­ said, had acted without proper parlia­ munications into chaos. And questions mentary approval and in contravention were raised about the F$6so,000 pur­ of the convention which required that chase price of the prime minister's damages be paid after taking into house when the government's own account the state's ability to pay. valuer had estimated its value at Rabuka denied the charge of cor­ F$46S,000. The house was owned by ruption but described Seru's action as Ratu Sir 's family com­ "a very sad case oferror of judgement." pany, Qeleni Holdings (FT, 30 Sept The government rejected the opposi­ 1992). tion's call for a judicial inquiry with the All these incidents paled into insig­ power to make binding recommenda­ nificance beside the so-called Stephens tions, but agreed to appoint a parlia­ affair. Tony Stephens, a local business­ mentary commission of inquiry. Seru man with previous encounters with the resigned and was replaced by Kelemedi law, had been detained for forty days Bulewa, whose law firm Seru subse­ in 1988 on the charge of illegally quently joined. In December, the high importing pen pistols. He was eventu­ court rejected Stephens' application to ally cleared, and retaliated by demand­ have the deed declared valid. The mat­ ing F$30 million compensation for ter is unlikely to rest there. Whatever wrongful arrest and detention. On 17 follows, the Stephens affair has already September, Attorney General Apitaia tarnished the reputation of the govern­ Seru settled out of court for F$IO ment, leaving the vague suspicion that million. Stephens was to be paid more people were involved than is F$980,000 in cash, and have his mort­ presently known. As a edito­ gage with the Home Finance Company rial put it, "the sorry mess suggests and the National Bank ofFiji paid off. powerful forces, answerable to no one The receiving order and bankruptcy but themselves, are at work to under­ action against him were to be dis­ mine constitutional authority" (FT, I charged, and he was to be allowed to Oct 1992). THE CONTEMPORARY PACIFIC. FALL 1993

The government fared slightly better at the United Nations' General Assem­ on the international scene. In July, bly in October. Rabuka attended his first South Pacific Just when his stature seemed to be Forum meeting in Honiara. Although improving, Rabuka found himself in understandably apprehensive about his trouble again. In an interview with an reception, he was warmly welcomed by Australian television channel in Sep­ regional colleagues. He proclaimed the tember, Rabuka remarked, apparently Forum "a good outfit," and of his own unaware ofthe rolling cameras, that role as a "new boy on the block" he his assurances to the Australian public said, "I come in and sit and listen and about his commitment to restoring Fiji contribute when I have to. The best to democracy were a gimmick. "That guide is if you have nothing to say, say was the television me," he said. "The nothing" (PIM, Aug-Sept 1992). How­ real me" was a Fijian nationalist at ever, he did assure the leaders that Fiji's heart. "We want a constitution that's regional stance was essentially the totally Fijian-oriented." Asked if it same as it had been under Mara, and would be better if the Indo-Fijian pop­ he pledged Fiji's continued commit­ ulation was deported to , he said ment to the security of regional institu­ "Yes," though he added-and this was tions. edited out-that was not his govern­ Rabuka made an equally successful ment's intention. Further, he said that state visit to Australia to open a trade the Labour Party "didn't do their and investment promotional campaign homework" on the issue ofconstitu­ in Sydney (Lako Mai Fiji) and to tional review. "We can't do it before the restore full diplomatic and military ties end of seven years," as stipulated in the with Australia. He found a willing constitution (CT, 1 Oct 1992). The counterpart in Paul Keating, who not interview caused an uproar in Fiji, only restored full relations but also dis­ leading the National Federation Party patched Defence Minister Robert Ray to stage a one-day boycott of parlia­ to Fiji in October. The Australian pub­ ment. Rabuka attempted to excuse his lic is now largely indifferent to the remarks by insisting that he was mis­ prospects for democracy in Fiji, but quoted, but his explanation left most many Labour supporters there and in people unconvinced, reinforcing the Fiji thought the Australian govern­ impression of the prime minister as a ment's apparently unconditional resto­ man who could not be trusted to honor ration of full diplomatic and military his commitments. ties with Fiji was premature. As an edi­ His remarks certainly dismayed torial in the Fiji-based magazine leaders of the Labour Party, who had Islands Business Pacific stated, "The by this time become thoroughly disillu­ haste with which Australia wants to sioned with Rabuka. When Labour restore relations with the Fiji army, as made the deal with Rabuka, its leaders if everything is back to normal again, is saw themselves as the real winners, the deplorable. Fiji is not back to normal" tail that would wag the dog. They were (IBP, Aug-Sept 1992). Rabuka repeated mistaken; once ensconced, Rabuka his theme ofFiji returning to normality procrastinated. The value added tax POLITICAL REVIEWS was introduced unchanged; the draco­ proposal for a government ofnational nian labor laws remained on the unity. "Be bloody bold and resolute," books, though they were largely unen­ he said during the budget debate. "We forced; little movement was evident on have to do it now and that is a formal the matter ofland leases; and there was challenge and invitation to all political delay on the issue ofconstitutional leaders on the other side." Ifthe pro­ review. However, he balked when posal was unacceptable, he said, he Labour threatened to reconsider its was prepared to step down (FT, 5 Dec support for the government (FT, 2 Oct 1992). He provided no details of how 1992), and talked of participating in a the power-sharing arrangement would vote of no confidence in it. work or how the proposal was viewed In November, Rabuka announced by his own party. In typical Rabuka preliminary steps toward reviewing the fashion, his offer seems to have been constitution. The review would be car­ made on the spur ofthe moment with­ ried out by a bipartisan parliamentary out much forethought. Nonetheless, constitutional commission made up of the opposition parties welcomed the members of both houses (the House of prime minister's gesture and promised Representatives and the Senate) as well to cooperate with him. At the same as leaders of political parties outside it. time many viewed his proposal skepti­ The review would use "a consensus­ cally. Why the offer now, when building approach" with the 1990 con­ Rabuka had rejected the idea during stitution as the basic reference point, the elections? Having Indo-Fijians in not the 1970 independence constitu­ government, he had said then, would tion, as the opposition parties wanted. mean a loss of face for Fijians. What Although the parliament will be closely happened to his "Fiji for Fijians" rheto­ associated with the review process, the ric, and his oft-repeated pledge to real­ views ofthe chiefs and the Fijian peo­ ize the aims of the coups? asked the ple generally will carry weight. As skeptics. Rabuka said, "Ifwe are to move for­ Some saw the government of ward with the review it is absolutely national unity proposal as an exercise essential that the government should in political survival. With support in first secure the full support and under­ the Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei standing of the Fijian and Rotuman suspect, his government mired in scan­ communities through the Bose Levu dals, and the opposition parties Vakaturaga []" demanding prompt fulfillment of (FT, 21 Nov 1992). No time frame has promises to them, the proposal been set for carrying out the review. It brought him much-needed breathing may well be completed within the space, "something to grasp as his lead­ seven-year period stipulated in the con­ ership sinks into uncertainty," accord­ stitution, as Rabuka wants, but not ing to Dr (FT, 5 Dec 1992). earlier, as the opposition Indo-Fijian In this view there was no change of parties demand. heart, just a change oftactics. That Early in December, Rabuka stunned certainly was the hope of the Taukei the nation once again with a dramatic Movement, or what was left of it, THE CONTEMPORARY PACIFIC. FALL 1993 which urged Rabuka to "completely reject and throw out of the window with precipitated [sic] haste the devilish Leaders ofthe Front de liberation concept ofgovernment of national nationale kanak et socialiste (FLNKS) unity" (FT, 22 Dec 1992). The Fijian had set 1992 as the date of the first National United Front supported the assessment ofthe Matignon Accords. idea but on the condition that Fijian There were many meetings ofthe vari­ interests always remain paramount. ous pro-independence parties during Many members of Rabuka's own party the year, although final results will not agreed that non-Fijian parties will be be known until after the FLNKS conven­ junior partners in any government of tion in mid-January 1993, and the national unity. meeting of the Matignon Accords mon­ How, or if, the idea of a government itoring committee scheduled for late of national unity will work will be a January or early February 1993. major challenge for 1993. Another, The month ofMarch represented a tragically, will be coping with the con­ dark period for the territory. While the sequences of devastating floods, the first two cyclones of the season, Betsy worst in nearly fifty years, which hit in January and Daman in February, the country soon after Christmas, had narrowly missed New Caledonia wrecking the economy and the infra­ and caused only minor damage, structure and causing damage esti­ hit squarely during the mated in the millions. The devastation night of 4 March. It was followed less came just as the economy was showing than a week later by Cyclone Fran. signs ofrecovery after years ofpoor These storms caused considerable performance. destruction, particularly in the North BRIJ V. LAL Province. As residents reeled under the impact .. ::. of Cyclone Fran, they learned of the death at age forty-six ofJacques MUCH OF this review is based on my Iekawe, the man in charge of the eco­ field notes, personal correspondence, nomic development of the territory. In and accounts in newspapers and news­ 1991 he had been appointed secretary­ letters such as Canberra Times (eT), general ofthe South Pacific Commis­ Fiji Times (FT), The Review (TR), sion. The territory, metropolitan Islands Business Pacific (IBP), Washing­ France, and the whole Pacific region ton Pacific Report (WPR), and Pacific were unanimous in their tributes. Islands Monthly (PIM). The Prisunic-Barrau shopping cen­ ter, one ofthe oldest established com­ mercial centers in Noumea, was burned and looted on the night of 13 March following a violent outburst outside a local nightclub. This was per­ ceived by most observers as a sign of growing dissatisfaction among a young